Hypertension Policy and Activities

The prevalence, incidence, and strategies to control hypertension were first reported through a working group consisting of federal and provincial/territorial representatives in 1984. Based on the recommendations of this working group, the Canadian Coalition for High Blood Pressure Prevention and Control, now Blood Pressure Canada (BPC) , was established in 1985. Its mandate was to prevent and control high blood pressure among Canadians. Many of the stakeholders from professional societies, volunteer organizations, and government sectors (including Health Canada) became members of this umbrella organization. A report entitled "The Prevention and Control of High Blood Pressure in Canada" was published subsequently in 1986.

In December, 1996, it was determined that the Canadian hypertension strategy was in need of revival and a new strategy was proposed in 2000. The development of the National High Blood Pressure Prevention and Control Strategy by the Government of Canada represented the efforts of a number of stakeholders across Canada to address and improve the detection, control, and treatment of hypertension among Canadians. This document also provided momentum for the advancement of professional education and development, and broader dissemination of evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. Since 2000, the Canadian Hypertension Education Program (CHEP) has annually been updating, disseminating and evaluating the hypertension recommendations in Canada.

Building on this work and in partnership with organizations such as Blood Pressure Canada, the Canadian Hypertension Education Program , the Canadian Hypertension Society (CHS) and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada , the Government of Canada has been successful in developing and implementing national hypertension prevention, management and surveillance programs. In addition, through the Integrated Strategy on Healthy Living and Chronic Disease, the Public Health Agency of Canada is implementing programs that aim to support healthy lifestyle choices. Enhancing physical activity, lowering salt consumption, ensuring a higher intake of fruit and vegetables, reducing the harmful consumption of alcohol, avoiding smoking and maintaining a healthy body weight are means to prevent and control the occurrence of elevated blood pressure.

In 2008, the government is investing over $5 million to support the development of a heart heath strategy and action plan, as well as continuous hypertension and cardiovascular disease surveillance. Information collected through administrative and survey data analysis will be used to more efficiently monitor, prevent and reduce the prevalence of hypertension in Canada. The Government of Canada has established a Steering Committee to address the challenges of heart health in Canada and expects to receive its recommendations later in 2008.